Can ovarian cancer be treated?

Written by Liu Liang
Oncology
Updated on September 05, 2024
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Ovarian cancer is certainly treatable. Its treatment methods include surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. For patients with early-stage ovarian cancer, the treatment is mainly radical surgery, followed by determining the need for additional adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy based on specific pathological staging, the presence of high-risk factors for recurrence such as vascular tumor thrombus and neural invasion, and the situation of lymph node metastasis. For patients with advanced ovarian cancer, the treatment may involve debulking surgery and chemotherapy, with chemotherapy being the main treatment. Chemotherapy also needs to take into account the patient's general condition, along with local pelvic radiotherapy. These are the treatment methods for ovarian cancer, and the specific treatment plan should be selected based on staging and the patient's general condition, as well as the presence of other serious underlying diseases.

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Oncology
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How long can one live with ovarian cancer?

The lifespan of ovarian cancer patients depends on several factors including the specific stage of the cancer, the patient's sensitivity and response to treatment, and the overall health of the patient, leading to significant individual variability. The cancer is typically classified into stages from one to four, with stage one being the earliest and stage four being the most advanced. Generally, patients diagnosed at an earlier stage tend to have a better prognosis and a greater chance of survival compared to those with advanced ovarian cancer. Additionally, patients in advanced stages who respond well to treatments like chemotherapy typically have a better prognosis and longer survival times compared to those who are less responsive to such treatments. Hence, it is impossible to generalize as the individual differences are substantial.

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Ovarian Cancer Screening Methods

The methods for diagnosing ovarian cancer include imaging studies, such as ultrasonography of the adnexa of the uterus, abdominal CT, or MRI, which can detect ovarian tumors. The next step is to perform a blood test for the tumor marker CA125, which is a relatively specific and sensitive marker for epithelial ovarian cancer; in clinical practice, CA125 levels are generally significantly elevated in patients with ovarian cancer. Additionally, many patients with ovarian cancer, especially those in advanced stages, often develop significant ascites. We can perform abdominal paracentesis to drain the fluid and test the ascites for cancer cells. If cancer cells are found in the ascites and imaging studies reveal an ovarian mass, ovarian cancer can be diagnosed. Furthermore, chest CT and other tests are included to comprehensively assess the staging of the patient.

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Is ovarian cancer hereditary?

The onset of ovarian cancer may be somewhat related to family history or genetic factors. Therefore, patients with a family history of ovarian cancer may have a higher risk of developing the disease compared to the general population. However, this doesn't mean that a patient with ovarian cancer will definitely pass the condition to their offspring; it merely indicates a certain level of heredity. Furthermore, for those with a family history of breast cancer, colon cancer, and endometrial cancer, it is crucial for their descendants to undergo enhanced screenings for ovarian cancer and these diseases, as their risk of developing these conditions may be higher than that of the average person.

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Early Symptoms of Ovarian Cancer

Patients with ovarian cancer may have relatively hidden clinical symptoms in the early stages, possibly without any specific discomfort, or just mild lower abdominal bloating or pain. Symptoms tend to become more apparent only when the tumor progressively enlarges or when ascites occur, such as increased abdominal bloating and pain. Furthermore, during a physical examination, a solid or cystic-solid mass can be palpated in the pelvic area. Ascites can also lead to clinical symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. In the late stages, partial intestinal obstruction or symptoms related to pelvic compression may appear.

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Oncology
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How is ovarian cancer diagnosed?

Ovarian cancer is discovered through transvaginal ultrasound of the adnexa uteri revealing ovarian tumors, or through imaging studies such as abdominal CT scans or MRIs showing ovarian tumors, combined with tumor markers, particularly the ovarian epithelial cancer tumor marker CA125, which will be significantly elevated. Generally, with these findings, ovarian cancer can typically be clinically diagnosed. Confirmation, however, requires pathological diagnosis, which involves obtaining a biopsy of the tumor. This can be done through a puncture biopsy or through pathological examination after surgical excision to confirm ovarian cancer. Additionally, some patients with ovarian cancer present with substantial ascites at the time of discovery. If cancer cells are found in the abdominal fluid, combined with a significant increase in CA125 and imaging studies showing ovarian tumors, ovarian cancer can also be diagnosed.